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CFO Must-Reads: Week of 11/23

Finance leaders and corporate executives continue to sound off on their views surrounding the future of the economy, voicing concerns and identifying opportunities. In light of these views, it appears that M&A and hiring activities could be on the upswing in various regions around the globe, and North America could be a top region for growth. Meanwhile, CFOs at billion dollar companies are not only concerned about global issues like market volatility in China and currency fluctuations, but are also continuing to juggle and struggle with growing amounts of data.

Finance leaders are also moving cost reduction back to the top of the priority list. What are some sources for cost reduction in your organization? Your utility bill may be consuming a larger percentage of the operating budget than you think. Finally, ethical and professional behavior can’t be left up to chance. Learn how one CFO turned around a broken organization by establishing clear ethical guidelines and professional practices.

Companies Seek to Hire and Acquire

Some of the world’s most influential executives see an economic downturn on the horizon. At the same time, though, they report an inability to hire for key positions. As a result, a large majority expect to continue hiring, and also see acquisitions as a key opportunity in these economic conditions. These opinions vary, however, by region. (via CFO.com)

CFOs Prioritize North American Growth

A recent survey conducted by Deloitte indicates that CFOs are prioritizing North America as their top region for growth. At the same time, there appears to be a sharper focus on cost reduction. Learn more about what CFOs from some of the largest and most influential North American organizations say are their current priorities and business focus. (via Wall Street Journal)

Do You Think Like a Billion Dollar CFO?

What is top-of-mind with CFOs at billion dollar companies and how does it differ from the opinions of CFOs at smaller organizations? While there are some minor differences, the primary concerns remain: how can they manage the growing mountain of data and drive their organizations to a single source of truth. (via Adaptive Insights blog)

Why You May Want to Pay Closer Attention to the Corporate Utility Bill

While many finance professionals worry about “keeping the lights on” within their companies, the utility bill itself may need closer review. In fact, utilities can account for as much as 20% of an office building’s cost. Here are some clear strategies that can help drive down that cost. (via Harvard Business Review)

How One CFO Fixed an Unethical Corporate Culture

What happens when individual value systems don’t align with company values? Establishing and enforcing an ethical code of conduct ensures that there is clear guidance for the actions of the employees in your organization. Learn how one CFO helped reinstate professional and ethical accounting practices in an organization known for acting unethically. (via Business Insider)

What do you like to read as a modern finance leader? Tweet your top picks to @AdaptiveInsight, and read next Friday’s edition to see if your story made our list of CFO Must-Reads!